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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-10-29

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] Déclaration conjointe de la présidence du Conseil ECOFIN et de la Commission européenne sur l'attribution d'une assistance financière de moyen terme à la Hongrie
  • [02] Journée de la Birmanie/Myanmar: société civile et perspectives d'avenir
  • [03] Fruit and Vegetable marketing standards: Commission puts the record straight
  • [04] Commission authorises the use of GM LLCotton25
  • [05] Commission to propose additional funding of approximately 100 million euros in 2009 to help Member States tackle Bluetongue
  • [06] Fisheries Council: Member States agree on fishing opportunities Midday Express of 2008-10-29 Reference: MEX/08/1029 Date: 29/10/2008 EXME08 / 29.10

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    29/10/08


  • [01] Déclaration conjointe de la présidence du Conseil ECOFIN et de la Commission européenne sur l'attribution d'une assistance financière de moyen terme à la Hongrie

    Compte tenu des effets négatifs de la crise financière mondiale sur la situation économique et financière de la Hongrie, la présidence du Conseil de l'Union européenne et la Commission ont exprimé, le 13 octobre dernier, l’engagement de l'Union européenne à utiliser tous les instruments dont elle dispose afin d'aider la Hongrie à faire face aux pressions du marché qui se sont récemment faites jour, en dépit des politiques macroéconomiques et financières menées par les autorités au cours des dernières années, notamment une réduction significative du déficit budgétaire depuis mi-2006.

    [02] Journée de la Birmanie/Myanmar: société civile et perspectives d'avenir

    Le 29 octobre, la Commission européenne accueillera à Bruxelles une conférence intitulée «Birmanie/Myanmar – Perspectives d'avenir». Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commissaire chargée des relations extérieures et de la politique de voisinage, a pris l'initiative d'inviter ONG, groupes de défense, organisations internationales et groupes de réflexion actifs en Birmanie/Myanmar et en Europe pour analyser la situation actuelle dans ce pays et réfléchir à son avenir. Cette conférence permettra également de se pencher de plus près sur le rôle de la société civile.

    [03] Fruit and Vegetable marketing standards: Commission puts the record straight

    The Commission has learned that a major British retailer has launched a campaign against what it calls "bonkers" EU fruit and vegetables regulations. The Commission wants to underline that it is already getting rid of these marketing standards for fruit & vegetables (F&V). A vote will probably take place on November 12 in the Management Committee. This will repeal EU marketing standards for 26 types of F&V. Marketing standards will remain for 10 types of F&V. However, even for these 10, shops would be allowed to sell products which do not meet the marketing standards as long as they are labelled appropriately. The new rules will come into force on July 1 2009. The Commission believes that this should not be regulated at EU level.

    [04] Commission authorises the use of GM LLCotton25

    The European Commission adopted today a Decision authorising the use of genetically modified (GM) LLCotton25 in food and feed. The decision has been adopted following an application submitted by Germany's Bayer CropScience AG and a favourable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which addressed all safety concerns. The assessment concluded that there is no risk to human or animal health or to the environment. The Commission's proposal on GM LLCotton25 was first submitted to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), but there the Member States did not achieve qualified majority, either for or against the proposal. As the procedure provides for, the Commission referred the issue to the Council, which had three months to act. Consequently, the proposal was considered by the Agricultural and Fisheries Council and the result of the vote there was similar to that at SCoFCAH – there was no qualified majority either for or against. In short, the Council neither adopted nor indicated its opposition to the proposed measure. Following the procedure provided by EU law, the Commission adopted today the Decision, which authorises the placing on the market of food and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from, GM LLCotton25. For more information, see: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm

    [05] Commission to propose additional funding of approximately 100 million euros in 2009 to help Member States tackle Bluetongue

    The European Commission today announced its intention to propose in early 2009 additional funding of approximately €100 million in order to co- finance the administration of vaccines to control Bluetongue disease in 2009. Subject to the assessment of actual needs and absorption capacity, this commitment, made in an amending letter to the 2009 budget adopted today, would raise the total amount likely to be allocated to assist vaccination efforts in 2009 up to €160 million. Prior to today's decision, the Commission had already proposed in the preliminary draft budget 2009 to allocate €60 million to co-finance the purchase of vaccines and surveillance of the insects which carry the disease. The Commission's total funding during the period 2008-2009 is expected to exceed €300 million. European Commissioner for Health Androulla Vassiliou said: "Bluetongue has been causing serious concern to farmers and Member State authorities. It now affects large parts of the EU. Extensive vaccination will contain the disease and reduce its prevalence and its effects. I am pleased that we have been able to make this political commitment today. The total funding, which is expected to exceed €300 million, indicates the Commission's strong determination to decisively support Member State efforts to combat Bluetongue." The amending letter to the 2009 budget is now being forwarded to the European Parliament and the Council. The agreement of both institutions will be necessary in order to release the funds. The additional funding will assist Member States by financing up to 50% of the costs incurred by them in administering the Bluetongue vaccine.

    Rediffusion

    [06] Fisheries Council: Member States agree on fishing opportunities

    The Commission welcomes the outcome of yesterday's Fisheries Council. Joe Borg, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: "Discussions were very constructive and we managed to secure agreements on some important issues that will help us to move ahead with the European agenda for sustainable fisheries for the future". An agreement was obtained on Baltic TACs (Total Allowable Catches) and quotas, which builds further on the Recovery Plan adopted in June 2007. For western herring, the Commission's proposal recommended a 63% reduction in the TAC in line with scientific advice, but the Council agreed to a 39% reduction. The Commission accepted this as a first step, as the Council decision is coupled with a commitment to establish a long-term management plan for this stock. As for the two Baltic cod stocks, the Council agreed to a 15% reduction in the TAC for the western stock and a 15% increase for the eastern stock. The Council also endorsed the Commission's proposal to reduce effort in the eastern Baltic by 10%. On deep-sea species, the Commission managed to secure a meaningful agreement which will considerably reduce fishing pressure on these vulnerable stocks, while at the same time trying to keep discards to an absolute minimum. In this vein the Council agreed to reduce the TAC for deep-sea sharks to zero by 2010, while providing for a 10% allowance to cover inevitable by-catches and thus avoid discards. Furthermore, the Council succeeded in agreeing to a 15% reduction in the TACs for roundnose grenadier and for orange roughy a 50% reduction for 2009 and a zero TACs for 2010. It also decided to lower the TACs for black scabbard fish by 10% for 2009 and 7% for 2010. On TACs for the Black Sea, the Council reached agreement in line with the Commission's original proposal. As regards the annual negotiations with Norway, there was a very useful exchange of views which will help the Commission greatly to focus its priorities as negotiations get underway in November. Finally, the Commission Borg was pleased to announce that Member States adopted a very bold position for the upcoming ICCAT annual meeting, in particular on bluefin tuna. Everybody realises that a lot is at stake, and that time is running out to save the bluefin tuna stock from collapse. With this position, the EU will be able to champion bold and decisive measures, in particular, to resolve the issue of overcapacity, to reduce the length of the fishing seasons, and to identify specific measures that can reinforce control throughout the market chain. "The EU stands ready to take its responsibilities and do all that is necessary in order to ensure that the bluefin tuna fishery is sustainable, and we hope that all the members of ICCAT will join us in making this exceptional effort at November's annual meeting in Marrakesh, " declared Dr. Borg yesterday evening.

    A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):

    Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :

    Raiffeisen Informatik/PC-Ware From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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